Arizona was one of the more dominant teams in its first year in the Big 12, led by a strong senior class and freshmen eager to make an early impact. Heading into 2026, the Wildcats will lose some key routines but should have the depth to make another postseason run.
2025 Rewind
No. 16 overall | No. 2 at Big 12 | No. 21 in regular season | Regional final
The Wildcats notched several impressive wins in 2025, including victories over in-state rival Arizona State and longtime Big 12 member Denver. Just outside the top 20 entering the postseason, a strong performance against Georgia propelled them into the Sweet 16 and secured their highest final ranking since 2007.
Losses & Gains
| RETURNING |
| Fifth Years: Elizabeth LaRusso |
| Seniors: Gianna Lenczner, Sophia Stephens, Emma Strom |
| Juniors: Sophie Derr, Ainsley Greever, Sophia Maisel, Abigayle Martin, Tirzah Wise |
| Sophomores: Olivia Childs, Jessa Janicke, Aubrey Krohnfeldt, Amelia Rock, Jillian Silvers, Teagan White |
| IN |
| Freshmen: Elle Bragga, Riley Carman, Delaney Mead, Hillary Puleo, Lily Tisdale |
| Transfers: Sadie Smith (Arkansas) |
| OUT |
| Graduated: Elena Deets (UB/BB), Alysen Fears (AA), Emily Mueller (AA) |
| Retired: Haley Havenor |
| INJURY UPDATE |
| Greever is one year removed from Tommy John surgery that saw her miss her sophomore season. She is actively training vault and bars. White went through ACL and MPFL reconstruction surgery but has competed at intrasquads. Both athletes look to be ready for 2026. |
Fresh Faces
Arizona welcomes six new faces to the desert this year, one transfer and five freshmen. The freshmen are headlined by former four-star recruits Mead and Puleo, the latter of whom scored a perfect 10 on beam during her senior level 10 season. The Wildcats also welcomed Smith from Arkansas, who did not compete during her freshman season.
Apparatus Deep Dive
Vault
2025 Event Ranking: No. 26 | NQS: 49.035 | Average: 48.914 | High: 49.125
| Event Overview: Arizona did its best to maximize scoring potential despite lacking 10.0 start values, which often put the team in an early deficit during meets. With no 10.0 starts expected again, the Wildcats will need to rely on clean form and stuck landings to boost their vault scores in 2026. | ||
| Locks: Abigayle Martin, Emma Strom Martin and Strom competed every meet for the Wildcats on vault and often led the team in scores. With the two highest returning NQS numbers, look for these two to be in the back half of the lineup to get a score boost. | ||
| Contenders: Sophie Derr, Elizabeth Larusso, Delaney Mead, Hillary Puleo LaRusso became an important vaulter in this lineup after returning from her own Tommy John surgery. Her return for a fifth year will be important. With two lineup spots available from the final six routines, Puleo will likely be one of the first freshmen to get a crack at the top six. | ||
| Wildcards: Elle Bragga, Riley Carman, Olivia Childs, Ainsley Greever, Jessa Janicke, Jillian Silvers, Lily Tisdale Greever was a regular competitor in 2024 before her surgery. If she’s ready, she will likely jump right back into this lineup with potential for an upgraded vault. Janicke has four lineup appearances from 2025 and could slot in as a regular with her Yurchenko full. |
Bars
2025 Event Ranking: No. 23 | NQS: 49.200 | Average: 49.114 | High: 49.425
| Event Overview: Bars was a roller coaster event for Arizona in 2025, ranging from a high of 49.425 to a low of 48.975 and led by fifth-year standout Elena Deets. With her departure, the lineup will look different, but the returning talent should help the Wildcats find more consistency in 2026. | ||
| Locks: Sophie Derr, Aubrey Krohnfeldt, Abigayle Martin The three returning gymnasts on bars combined for only three misses all season and competed in every meet. Krohnfeldt, a former national champion, became a key contributor and should continue to anchor the event with three routines graduating. | ||
| Contenders: Elle Bragga, Riley Carman, Ainsley Greever, Hillary Puleo, Sadie Smith Arkansas transfer Smith has been seen training bars on social media, suggesting this is where she’ll make her Wildcat debut. Bragga and Puleo were both top-10 finishers on bars in their respective sessions while Carman notched a top-three regional finish. All three are early contenders to fill the lineup spots left by departing seniors. | ||
| Wildcards: Jessa Janicke, Delaney Mead, Lily Tisdale While she hasn’t competed the event in college yet, Janicke boasts an impressive double layout dismount that could earn her lineup time in her second season. Mead struggled on bars at times last year but has elegant composition that keeps her in the mix for a spot in the top six. |
Beam
2025 Event Ranking: No. 20 | NQS: 49.205 | Average: 48.986 | High: 49.300
| Event Overview: Beam became a standout event for Arizona in 2025 under former associate head coach Taylor Spears. With her departure, the lineup may take a small step back early on, but the Wildcats should remain strong on the event heading into 2026. | ||
| Locks: Gianna Lenczner, Abigayle Martin Lenczner made her collegiate debut as a junior in this lineup and never looked back, becoming a steady presence when the Wildcats needed consistency most. Martin has been dependable across all four events, but beam remains her standout; she peaked at 9.925 last season. | ||
| Contenders: Elle Bragga, Hillary Puleo, Amelia Rock, Tirzah Wise Puleo’s perfect 10 on beam last January in level 10, combined with her strong composition, makes her an immediate contender for the lineup. However, she’ll have to compete with veterans Rock and Wise for a spot. Bragga, who boasts top-10 finishes at both state and regionals and competes a triple series, should also fit seamlessly into Arizona’s beam group. | ||
| Wildcards: Aubrey Krohnfeldt, Delaney Mead, Sadie Smith, Emma Strom, Lily Tisdale, Teagan White There’s a lot of depth on beam, making the coaching staff’s job a bit more difficult. Strom is the only one with competitive experience, but any of these wild cards could slot in on any given meet day. |
Floor
2025 Event Ranking: No. 30 | NQS: 49.205 | Average: 49.134 | High: 49.425
| Event Overview: A lack of difficulty held Arizona back on floor in 2025, but the team still delivered big moments when it mattered. In 2026, expect slightly more difficulty in tumbling, though the Wildcats will need consistently high scores to stay competitive in the conference. | ||
| Locks: Abigayle Martin, Emma Strom Martin and Strom were steady all season for the Wildcats, again leading the team in NQS for the returners. Strom in particular was a standout for her performance quality, tallying six scores of 9.900 or higher last season. | ||
| Contenders: Riley Carman, Aubrey Krohnfeldt, Elizabeth Larusso, Delaney Mead LaRusso’s return to floor after elbow surgery was a boost for the Wildcats. She typically led off and should keep that role in her final year. Mead brings a front double twist from her level 10 career, Carman has trained a tucked full-in and front double twist, and Puleo’s clean tumbling and strong lines make her a likely regular competitor. | ||
| Wildcards: Elle Bragga, Lily Tisdale Tisdale has competed a front double twist in level 10, but her form at times is questionable. Bragga had a top 10 finish on floor at 2024 regionals en route to a silver medal in the all-around to round out her club career. Her routine is clean but lacks the difficulty of some of the other options. |
Records Watch
Team: 197.375 | AA: 39.775 (Randi Liljenquist) | VT: 49.550/10.000 (Andi McCabe) | UB: 49.475/10.000 (Becky Bowers) | BB: 49.625/10.000 (Randi Liljenquist) | FX: 49.575/10.000 (Katie Johnson)
If Puleo were to recreate her 10.0 on beam from level 10, it would be the first perfect 10 for Arizona since 2002 when Randi Liljenquist managed the feat on the same event. It’s not impossible if the stars align, so look for her to be on the hunt for perfection and etch her name into the record books.
The Big Picture
Arizona gymnastics will look very different in 2026. The Wildcats lost many routines, especially from all-arounders, but gained star power with freshman Puleo leading the way. While another Cinderella story may be unlikely, they should still make a strong push into the postseason.
Likely 2026 finish: Regionals Round Two
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Article by Savanna Wellman
